The United States is monitoring the situation in Venezuela with
great concern. We deeply regret the violence and loss of life, and
call on all Venezuelans to work peacefully to resolve this crisis.

We welcome and support the decision by the Organization of American
States to send immediately a fact-finding mission headed by Secretary
General Cesar Gaviria to Venezuela to support the re-establishment of
full democracy, with guarantees for citizens and respect for
fundamental freedoms, within the framework of the Inter-American
Democratic Charter.

The people of Venezuela have sent a clear message to President
Chavez that they want both democracy and reform. The Chavez
administration has an opportunity to respond to this message by
correcting its course and governing in a fully democratic manner.

President Chavez has now called for national reflection and
dialogue. He needs to seize this opportunity to ensure legitimacy by
reaching out to the political opposition, civil society, and to all
democratic forces in Venezuela.

The United States and the world community of democracies will be
closely following events in Venezuela. President Chavez bears
particular responsibility to preserve the peace, to protect human
rights and democratic freedoms, and to create the conditions necessary
for a national dialogue. We call on him to work with all Venezuelans
and with the Organization of American States toward this end.